Congresswoman Nancy Mace reportedly engaged in a heated exchange with police officers at Charleston International Airport, an incident detailed in an official report. The Republican representative allegedly used profanity and made derogatory comments towards officers who were assigned to escort her to her gate.
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Nancy Mace allegedly berated police officers at Charleston International Airport.
- The incident report details profanity and derogatory remarks made by Mace.
- Mace's campaign stated the incident was related to security concerns.
- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson criticized Mace's behavior.
Airport Officers Detail Confrontation
Two Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department officers had been waiting for Congresswoman Mace's arrival. They expected her at the curb, but her vehicle did not appear as anticipated. Officers were notified of her arrival approximately 15 minutes later than scheduled.
Upon encountering Mace at the TSA Known Crewmember entrance, officers described her as "very irate." The incident report states that Mace spoke loudly, using profanity within earshot of others. It appeared she was either dictating a message or speaking to someone about the situation on her phone.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on a Thursday at Charleston International Airport. Officers were initially expecting a white BMW, but security footage later showed Mace arriving in a different colored BMW.
Allegations of Profanity and Derogatory Remarks
One officer's statement detailed Mace immediately beginning to curse loudly and making derogatory comments. She reportedly called the officers "f***ing incompetent" and stated, "this is no way to treat a f***ing US representative." This behavior continued during the entire walk to Gate B-8.
The officer noted that Mace continued her "tirade" even as they waited for her to board her flight. Another officer's account corroborated these details. The report also mentioned Mace allegedly stating, "Tim Scott would not be f***ing treated this way," referring to South Carolina's junior GOP senator.
"She repeatedly stated we were 'f***ing incompetent' and 'this is no way to treat a f***ing US representative.'"
Eyewitnesses and Security Footage
The report indicates that Mace's behavior left an American Airlines gate agent "in disbelief." A TSA supervisor also informed officers that Mace had spoken to several TSA agents in a similar manner. Security footage from the airport curb confirmed that Mace was dropped off in a different vehicle than initially expected by the officers.
Officer's Perspective
An officer wrote in the report that if any other person at the airport had acted and spoken the way Mace did, their department would have been dispatched to address the behavior. This highlights the perceived severity of the conduct.
Mace's Response and Campaign Statement
Congresswoman Mace addressed the incident on her social media platform, X. She posted surveillance footage appearing to show her arriving at the airport without security. Her post read, "BREAKING NEWS: Nancy Mace arrives at the airport – with no security. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" She also shared another clip, seemingly showing her speaking with an officer inside the airport.
Cameron Morabito, the Mace campaign’s director of operations, issued a statement regarding the situation. He said, "Apparently, simply arriving at an airport now makes headlines if you’re leading the race for Governor."
Security Concerns Cited by Campaign
Morabito emphasized the need to take the Congresswoman’s safety seriously. He specifically mentioned, "After the world watched Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the threats against her have only intensified." He added that their security procedures are based on legitimate safety concerns and that any attempt to politicize this reality is "dangerous and reckless."
Political Fallout and Criticism
The incident quickly drew criticism from political opponents. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is also running in the GOP primary for governor against Mace, condemned her alleged actions. Wilson accused Mace of "disrespecting the men and women who keep our airports safe."
Wilson described Mace’s alleged behavior as "unacceptable." He stated, "Law enforcement and TSA agents show up every day to protect the public, and right now they’re not even getting paid. They deserve respect and appreciation. Not profanity. Not threats. Not tantrums."
Mace's Counter-Accusation
In response to Wilson's comments, Mace tweeted, "I wish Alan Wilson spent as much time prosecuting p*dophiles as he does spying on me at the airport." The exchange underscores the contentious nature of the gubernatorial primary race.
- Key Figures: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department officers, American Airlines gate agent, TSA supervisor, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
- Location: Charleston International Airport.
- Context: Mace is a Republican candidate for governor of South Carolina.
